Key identification holder



Dec. 5, 1950 v w. GOLDSMITH 3 0 KEY IDENTIFICATION HOLDER Filed May 17, 1945 lNVENTOR Wz'l Z jam Goldsmzih/ BY I n Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY IDENTIFICATION HOLDER William Goldsmith, New York, N. Y.

Application May 17, 1945, Serial No. 594,348 7 .1 Claim. (Cl. 40-2) My invention relates generally to a manner of associating indicia with a key;

Looks for doors, compartments and cabinets and the like are generally today of the tumbler type whose operation is effected by keys punched from fiat stock comprised of widened head and a relatively narrower shank conformed to operate the lock tumblers. A person who carries a bunch of such keys, as is generally the case, finds some difficulty in selecting the right key for a particular lock and. makes his selection by trial and error. This is particularly true of automobile keys which come in sets to separately control the ignition, the front and rear compartments and the doors.

One of the general objects of my invention is a simple and inexpensive arrangement whereby identifying indicia can be associated with a standard type key without impairing in any way its free and full use in the customary manner.

A further general object of my invention is that the arrangement be such that it can be embodied into the key as it is produced or into an already fabricated key of the type now in use.

For the attainment of these objects and such other objects as may hereinafter be pointed out, I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention in the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a key made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the indicia carry ing strip; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section like that of Fig. 2 taken through a modified embodiment.

Upon reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be observed that there is here shown a key which is typical in that it comprises the shank I and the wider head I I which terminates in the ring if. for its attachment to a key ring or the like. As is conventional with this type of key, one side of the shank is formed with projections 13, the number and spacing of which are predetermined for selective coaction with a selected group of tumblers of the particular lock which the key is intended to operate.

Upon comparing Figs. 1 and 2 it will be observed that this typical key is fabricated with slots 15 and I which extend in the general direction of the length of the key and that these slots are in spaced apart parallel registration and of the same length. Their spacing and their length will be determined entirely by the requirements as shortly to be pointed out.

Upon comparison of Figs. 2 and 3 it will be observed that that portion of the key which lies between the two slots i5 and I5, and to which 1 have applied the reference character it in these figures, is of reduced thickness. In the disclosed embodiment, this reduction in thickness leaves depressions or recesses 2i and 22 on both the front and obverse faces of the head ll of the key fol the full area of the portion i8.

Fig. 4 shows a strip 3i! made of any preferrec or desired material which Will serve in the manner and for the purposes now to be pointed out. The width of this strip 363 is no greater than the lengt. of the slots i5 and i5. This is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The thickness of the strip is no greater than the depth of the recess or depression lelb in that section I8 of the head which lies between the two slots, on either or both faces of the head. The length of the strip is substantially greater than the distance between the slots l5 and 55 for the reason to be pointed out.

The strip is secured in associated relation with the head ll of the key, by bending its opposite end portions and passing these end portions through the slots l5 and I5 so that they project thereoeyond. These projecting end portions are then bent down into the depression 22 upon the obverse face of the key head.

Upon reference to the cross-sections shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that the strip when assembled with the head of the key as set forth, will be comprised of an intermediate portion 25, end wahs 2t and bottom Or terminal portions 2?, and that the intermediate and terminal portions will be countersunk in the depressions 2i and 22 respectively so that they do not protrude above either face of the head. The drawings show my preferred embodiment wherein the width of the strip approximates the height and depth of the depressions 2i and 22 and also the length of the slots l5 and I5.

The strip 30 of Fig. 4 may be made of any preferred or desired material which can be readily bent into association with the key head in a man ner pointed out and which when so bent will remain associated therewith. Materials such as sheeted metal, plastics, and the like will serve for my purposes.

My invention contemplates that the desired indicia, for example Front Door as shown in Fig. 1, be embodied on or applied to the outside face of the intermediate section 25 of the strip 30. This may be done before or after the assembly of the strip with the key head.

One of the advantages of my arrangement is the ease with which it can be incorporated into a key either at the time of its production or thereafter. In the first case the slots is and I5 will be formed in the key as one step in its production, in which event the strip can be associated with the key head as part of this production procedure or can be applied thereto by the user after purchase thereof. For example, the three keys of an automobile may be identical except as to the tumbler control notches on the shank and the automobile operator will then be guided entirely by the indicia on the. head in selecting the key for the particular lock to be operated.

my purposes. This merely requires a simple apparatus to drive the slots [5, I 5 through the head of a key and to thin out'the material therebetween to provide the recesses 21 and 22'.

The strips may be marketed as separate items with indicia already thereon, however varied to meet the general range of specific requirements. The key may also be sold as a separate item preformed at fabrication or converted thereafter to incorporate slots ['5 and I5 and grooves or depressions 2|- and 2 2. The two will be associated by the user.

The modified embodiment of Fig. 5' combines with a strip 125, a separately formedstrip. 40 which may be made of paper or the like and upon which the indicia is imprinted or otherwise applied. Ihestrip- [25 is transparent and of a length to bring its ends into adjacency when bent around the key portion 18' as is the strip in Fig. 2, so that these ends can be joined by butt welding or otherwise as shown at 45. Strip can be secured. either directly to the front face of the area 18. independently of the strip L25 .or held thereagainst by said strip. It will be observed that. strip 125 is shown as countersunk into. the. front and back faces of the key head ll asin Fig. 2 and its width, preferably approximated the length: of the slots H5, H5. The ends of the. strip I25 are joined on the rear face along a line which is closely adjacent to one of the slots H5 or H5 so asv to clear the indicia on the second strip 40. which. is of a character and is associated with the back face as stated of the strip 40.

The dual indicia 40 and 40' will serve usefully in many situations. For example, a real estate agent for a number of houses usually groups together all the keys for each house. It will be of material aid to him and to others to In this way my arrangement also permits of the conversion of a standard key to have the front indicia of all of one such group indentify the house, e. g. 15 Jones Street and the rear indica of each key of that group identify the particular lock which that particular key fits. In the example given, this rear indicia may read Front Door.

Having thus descirbed my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A fiat key of the type having a head apertured at. one end and a stem extending lengthwise from its opposite end, said head having slots formed therethrough in the area thereof between its said aperture and stem and close to the opposite lateral sides thereof, said slots extending lengthwise of the key and in parallel spaced apart relation, the thickness of that portion of the head between the slots being reduced in thickness to provide depressions on both faces of the head extending from slot to slot, and a strip of material adapted to be permanently creased and to permanently maintain its shape as bent at the creases, the said strip being of a width to pass through the said slots and of a thickness to be fully received in the said depressions' and serving. to associate identifying indicia with the key, the length of the strip being substantially twice the distance between the slots, the ends of the strip being passed through. the slots with the intermediate portion of the strip received in the depressioninone face of the key head and With the terminal portions of the strip of equal length and bent into opposing relation to the. said intermediate portion and received in the depression in the other face of the head whereby the strip is retained in place by the channel formation between the said terminal portions and the opposite halves of the intermediate portion a-nd by the said permanent creases of the shaped, strip. at the corners defined. by the said slots and depressed surfaces, said intermediate portion carrying information indicia as. to. the key.

WILLIAM GOLDSMITH.

appearances CETED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date.

323,939 Kletzker Aug. 11, 1885 1,034,403. Weitzel July 30, 1912 1,219,706 Daehne Mar. 20, 1917 1,418,384. Dorsch .Dec. 25, 1923 1,738,865 Buchsbaum Dec. 1-0, 1929 2,016,644. Luball Oct. 8, 1935 

